In the United States, over 600,000
reported cases of AIDS have been recorded since 1981 and it is believed that 900,000 Americans may be infected with HIV. Although
development time varies from individual to individual, since 1992 scientists have estimated that roughly half of the people
living with HIV will develop AIDS within 10 years of becoming infected. AIDS is growing most rapidly among minority populations,
as well as women and injection drug users. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence
of AIDS is six times higher in African-Americans and three times higher among Hispanics than among whites.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV infection most commonly occurs through sexual contact.
However, the virus can also be spread through blood-to-blood contact -- such as sharing needles or blood transfusions involving
unscreened blood. Studies have shown that HIV is not transmitted through casual contact such as touching or sharing
towels, bedding, utensils, telephones, swimming pools, or toilet seats. Scientists have also found no evidence of transmission
through kissing, sweat, tears, urine or feces. It is important to acknowledge that it is not sex that transmits HIV, but certain
bodily fluids: blood, semen (including "pre-cum"), vaginal secretions and breast milk. High-risk behaviors that
can result in HIV transmission are sharing needles for drugs, tattoos, body piercing, vitamins or steroids with an HIV-infected
person and/or engaging in unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex with a person who is HIV infected. The virus also can be transmitted
from an HIV-infected mother to her child through pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
It does appear that
persons already infected with a sexually transmitted disease are more susceptible to acquiring HIV during sex with an infected
partner. Mucous membranes, a weak point in the skin, include the lips, mouth, vagina, vulva, penis or rectum. Because mucous
membranes are porous and viruses and other pathogens are able to pass through, these areas are rich in immune cells. When
a person already has a sexually transmitted disease, sex organs may be flooded with CD4+T cells, making it much easier for
HIV to infect.
The only way to determine HIV infection is to be tested for the virus. It is not unusual
for HIV-infected persons to experience symptoms years after the initial infection; some may be symptom free for over 10 years.
However, during the asymptomatic period, the virus is actively multiplying and destroying cells in the immune system, weakening
the body's ability to fight infection. The effect is most keenly observed in the decline of the immune system's key infection
fighters in the blood, the CD4+T cells. There are medical treatments that can reduce the rate at which HIV disables the immune
system; early detection offers more options for treatment and preventative care. As a matter of safety, people who engage
in high-risk behaviors -- such as intravenous drug use or having unprotected sex with multiple partners -- should be tested
regularly.
What is the distinction between HIV and AIDS?
AIDS is a disease developed by a
person living with HIV, which is a viral organism. The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. Although
an HIV-positive test result does not mean that a person has AIDS, most people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.
There are four main stages in the progression of an HIV infected person developing AIDS. The period following
the initial HIV infection is called the window period. It is called this because this period reflects the window of time between
infection with the virus and when HIV antibodies develop in the bloodstream. An HIV test that looks for antibodies taken during
this time can result in a false negative, though antibodies usually appear within six months of the initial infection.
Seroconversion refers to the period of time during which your body is busy producing HIV antibodies, trying to
protect itself against the virus. This is the period after the initial infection when many people experience flu-like symptoms
and swollen lymph nodes – this is a highly infectious stage.
After most people seroconvert, they
usually experience a symptom-free period or asymptomatic period. This stage can last anywhere from 6 months to over 10 years,
varying from person to person. Although the person with HIV is experiencing no symptoms, the virus is still replicating inside
the body and weakening the immune system.
After this period, severe CD4+T cell loss leads to the symptomatic
period, in which the body experiences the symptoms associated with AIDS. This is the final stage before developing AIDS.
AIDS Statistics
Here are some statistics regarding the disease
that plagues our friends, family, and everyone around the world.
YOUNG PEOPLE
During
2003 the majority of Nevadans diagnosed with HIV/AIDS were between ages 25 and 44.
In Washoe
County, a growing number of newly diagnosed were in the 13 to 24 year old age group.
HIV/AIDS
was the seventh leading cause of death among persons 25 to 44 years old in Nevada .
GENDER
By gender males account for 87% of HIV deaths
The death rate from HIV (5.68
per 100,000) for males was 16 times higher than that of females
AFRICAN AMERICANS
In Washoe County African Americans had higher rates of HIV than people of other races.
The
black population were six and two and a half times higher than the next highest race.
Blacks
accounted for 20% of deaths, and their death rate was more than three times that of whites.
DRUGS
and ALCOHOL
HETROSEXUALS
HOMOSEXUALS
WORLD WIDE
